To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effects of the implementation of the points-based immigration system on the employment of foreign nationals as nurses in the NHS. (275060)

The UK Border Agency has worked closely with the Department of Health and external stakeholders in the sector, including NHS Employers, throughout the development of the Points Based System (PBS). Where vacancies for nurses exist which cannot be filled by workers from within the European economic area (EEA), NHS trusts that are licensed sponsors under Tier 2 of the PBS are able to bring nurses to the UK to fill these posts. Some specialist nursing posts have been included on the Government’s shortage occupation list.